By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
The Elkhorn Area High School did what the state’s eighth-ranked team should do at a meet where they are clearly superior to the competition.
The Elks routed all challengers Saturday at the Grafton Duals at Grafton High School and won the dual meet tournament.
“We got better,’ Elks coach Ken Reynolds said. “We worked on things. We kind of went in knowing what the outcome was going to be. We didn’t think we’d roll through it as easy as we did. It was a good day.”
The Elks defeated West Bend East 55-19, Waukesha North 80-0, Grafton 72-0, Waukesha Catholic Memorial 65-12 and Ashwaubenon 60-13.
The victory against Ashwaubenon in the title match avenged losses to Ashwaubenon in the finals of the Grafton Duals in each of the previous two seasons. Coach Ken Reynolds said the Elks anticipated a rematch with Ashwaubenon.
“They wanted to end the day with that dual, and we did,” Reynolds said. “We wanted to send a message that we’re a lot better than the last couple of years. We wanted to put the hammer down, and it was good.”
The win against Ashwaubenon gave the Elks their 24th dual meet victory of the season against one loss. The 24 wins is a school record.
Elkhorn wrestled Southern Lakes Conference opponent Wilmot Tuesday at home in the team’s final dual meet of the season.
Konnor Mohr (152 pounds), Bryce Jacobson (160), Keaton Verhoeven (182), Benji Peak (106/113), Grant Truesdale (106/113), Bryce Fitzgerald (126), Alex Brahm (132) and John Olsen (145) each finished 5-0 at Grafton.
Reynolds said Brahm is in the midst of a nine-match winning streak.
“I think he had an extremely good day,” Reynolds said. “He’s really peaking at the right time. I think he is going to be a big key for our team success at the end of the season.”
Reynolds said wrestlers such as Brahm are crucial to the Elks’ postseason success. Reynolds said those wrestlers that are less heralded than some of their teammates will be the difference in the postseason.
“He’s a senior, and one of the guys you need to step-up, and he’s doing that” Reynolds said.
Elkhorn finished with a total of 36 pins in five matches at Grafton, including eight in less than one minute.
“We were just getting pin after pin after pin,” Reynolds said. “Wins are one thing. Pins are another. That’s a sign of domination.”
Elkhorn wrestles Saturday in the Southern Lakes Conference meet at Wilmot. The Elks finished third last season.
